Unfolding transformative potential
Images and ideas people hold of themselves
Scott had a vision for himself; as a champion dancer with nontraditional way of dance. His potential started to unfold when he started to chase after his dreams in the dance studio, as a defiance of his already successful parents. Had he listened to everybody who was telling him that his new way of dancing would lead to his demise of his career, his career would not have unfolded like it did. His journey may not have been of the same substance. He designed a new way of life for himself with his partner Fran, constructing new relationships with her family and friends to help them in the national championship.
The second part of this letter, stating that the images and ideas people hold of themselves have an impact on how realities unfold, was demonstrated by Fran. As a beginner, Fran was overlooked yet she saw potential in herself. She became a designer of her new career as a champion, by breaking her own boundaries and propositioning herself to be the partner of a well established dancer. Had Fran seen herself as an average beginner who did not have the potential to rise to the top, she might have been right. Her career might have stopped there.
I relate this to my own personal experience because when I was younger, I became the youngest member of a collegiate level cheerleading team. I was approached by a coach who saw talent in me, and she invited me to a practice where the starting age was 18. The oldest member was in his young 30s. I wasn't even 18 at that time, about 2 years shy. However, had I let my age hold me back, I would not have been given the offer to join them. I brought my best to those practices, because I thought that I could really add something to their team. I felt as though my extensive background in acrobatics could add value. We went on to win nationals that year, and it was an experience I would not have been able to be a part of if I had let myself shy away from it.